Checking device



July 4, 1967 c. c. AYERS ETAL CHECKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 22. 1965 RT Mm A Y mmm M med W mm T LE A

V. I B .9 ll B 8 W /fi/wH M K W m i 1 w; a I C mvfl .w m M M a m a MUnited States Patent *ce 3,329,175 CHECKING DEVICE Charles C. Ayers, 12Sequoia Drive, and Joe R. Garrett, Rte. 4, both of Greenville, S.C.29605 Filed Sept. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 489,177 3 Claims. (Cl. 139-164)This invention relates to looms, and more particularly to means forchecking the movement of the picker stick.

Many problems have been associated with the check strap by those skilledin the art relating to looms. Some of these problems are occasioned bythe check strap assembly being crudely constructed from a multiplicityof parts and others are occasioned by lack of control of the assemblyparts over the check strap itself. During the weaving operation, as theshuttle is urged back and forth across the lay by the action of thepicker stick, it is well known that proper checking of the picker stickon its forward and rearward stroke is essential to permit theproperboxing of the shuttle and operation of the parts of the loom associatedtherewith. Since this checking action is repeated and violent in nature,the flexing of the check strap causes rapid wearing of the check strap.This problem is increased due to the fact that when the loom is stopped,such as over the weekend, the check strap firms up due to the cooling ofthe strap and due to loss of humidity.

Check straps of leather or other materials, as is well known, do nothave a long life and are a source of considerable expense in theproduction of woven fabric since they are relatively costly and must bereplaced at frequent intervals. These straps fail for a number ofreasons, but is well known that they frequently start to tear at theedges and, of course, when an edge becomes torn or frayed, it is only arelatively short time before the entire strap becomes unfit for furtheruse.

In attempts to eliminate the problems encountered in leather checkstraps, checking apparatus have been constructed utilizing frictionaldevices. The frictional devices include a checking member for engagingthe picker stick and another member for frictionally engaging thechecking member. Means are usually provided for adjusting the amount offriction between the two members. However, there is a problem in suchdevices in maintaining the friction contact in adjustment due to theviolent blows that the checking device receives.

Another problem associated with loom checking is wearing of the pickerdue to the numerous number of times that the shuttle comes in contacttherewith during the weaving operation. The picker has to be replacedwhen a larger hole is worn therein or the midget feeler will knock outthe bobbin before the maximum amount of filling is used therefrom. Onthe other end of the lay it is important that the shuttle be stopped inthe same spot each time in order to insure proper transfer of theshuttle. Still another problem encountered in checking devices isreplacing the lay end leather. The lay end leather is worn by thecontinuous banging of the picker stick thereagainst during the checkingoperation.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide animproved checking device for a loom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a checking devicethat has a long life and does not require frequent replacement of parts.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a simple,efficient and economical picker check which may be applied to the usualtype loom and which is particularly adapted for automatic fillingreplenishing looms in which it is necessary to arrest the shuttleprecisely at a predetermined point.

3,329,175 Patented July 4, 1967 Still another object of the presentinvention is to provide a checking device for a loom which compensatesfor the wear of the picker by the shuttle to arrest the shuttle at thesame predetermined point as the shuttle wears a larger hole in thepicker.

A further object of the invention is to provide a picker check with anadjustable frictional device which engages a slidable checking member tocheck the motion of the picker stick.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pickerstick having a shock absorbing device between an adjustable frictionaldevice and a slidable checking member to aid in maintaining thefrictional contact between such members in adjusment.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a checkingdevice which arrest the shuttle abruptly at a predetermined point at theend of the checking operation.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawingforming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown andwherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of one end of a lay of aloom with a checking device constructed in accordance with the inventionmounted thereon,

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE1, and

FIGURE 3 is a partial transverse sectional view taken along line 33 ofFIGURE 1.

The drawing illustrates a checkingdevice for use on a loom having a lay,a shuttle box, a shuttle, a picker and picker stick for propelling theshuttle along the lay. The checking device includes a rigid guide memberA which is attached to the lay of the loom. An elongated slidablechecking member B is carried within the rigid guide memher A forreciprocal movement therein. The elongated checking member B hasinwardly extending portions about each end for receiving the pickerstick and outwardly extending stop members carried adjacent each end. Anelongated friction bearing member C is carried adjacent the slidablechecking member B in frictional contact therewith for checking themovement of the checking member when the picker stick comes in contactwith the checking member. The slidable checking member B and thefriction bearing member C include frictionally engaging surfaces whereinone-of the surfaces is plastic and the other is metal. The elongatedfriction bearing member C has ends for contacting the stop members tostopthe movement of the slidable checking member B abruptly after thefrictional checking of the picker stick. An adjusting means is providedfor regulating the frictional con tact between the friction bearingmember and the checking member. A shock absorbing element is disposedbetween the friction bearing member and the means for adjusting thefrictional contact for absorbing the shock of the friction bearingmember C striking the stop members. Means D is provided for adjustingthe position of the friction bearing member C relative to the guidemembers to regulate the distance for checking the picker stick and theslidable checking member.

In operation, the frictional contact between said friction bearingmember and the checking member checks the movement of the picker stickand the stop members restrict the movement of the checking member to apreselected distance.

The drawing illustrates one end of the usual lay 10 of a loom and aportion of a picker stick 11 with the checking device mounted on thelay. Another checking device is mounted on the other end of the lay. Theframe of the loom is broadly designated at 12 and has associatedtherewith the usual shuttle box assembly 13 with a binder 14 and abinder spring 15. A lay end leather 16 is shown on the lay end 17 sincethe loom is a conventional loom, but the lay end leather is notnecessary when utilizing the checking device constructed in accordancewith the subject invention.

The picker stick 11 is activated in the usual manner, by means (notshown), causing a picker 18 mounted on its top to propel a shuttle 19across the 100m, The movement of the shuttle and the picker stick ischecked by a checking assembly that this invention is particularlyconcerned.

The rigid guide member A in the preferred embodiment is cast of iron andis mounted on the bottom of the lay by a pair of bolts 20. The guidemember A includes a horizontal portion 21 through which the bolts 20extend for attaching the checking device to the lay. A pair ofvertically extending standards 22 are integral with the horizontalportion and have a channel shaped member 23 attached to their free-ends.The rear portion 24 of the channel has apertures 25 therein fordissipating heat generated during the checking operation. An upwardlyextending vertical flange 26 is integral with one side of the horizontalportion 21 and fits flush against the side of the lay. The verticalflange 26 has a pair of threaded holes therein for receiving bolts 26afor attaching the binder spring. A pair of vertical arms 27 extendsdownward from the vertical flange 26, and each has a threaded hole 27aadjacent its free-end. It is noted that the vertical arms 27 extendOutwardly as well as downwardly so that they are in spaced relation withthe channel shaped member 23. The entire guide member A, which consistsof the horizontal portion 21, the standards 22, the channel 23, thevertical flange 26, and the vertical arms 27 may be cast as a unit.

An elongated slidable checking member B is carried within the rigidguide member A for reciprocal movement therein. The elongated checkingmember B has an elongated slot 28 therein with rounded ends forreceiving the picker stick. A longitudinal portion 29a on one side ofthe slot 28 is carried within the channel 23 in frictional contact withthe rear portion 24 of the channel. The frictional contact between oneside of the longitudinal portion 29a and the channel aids in restrainingor checking of the picker stick. The other side of the longitudinalportion is in frictional contact with the elongated friction bearingmember C. The checking member B is constructed of a hard plasticmaterial so as to minimize wear due to frictional contact with thesurrounding metal. The plastic checking member B has a much longer lifethan leather straps and is not adversely affected by humidity andtemperature changes. Outwardly-extending stop members 29 are carriedadjacent each end of the elongated checking member B for arresting theslid-able checking member at the same preselected point each time duringthe checking operation, The manner for adjusting the point where theslidable member may be arrested is discussed below.

The elongated friction bearing member C is positioned in the channel 23and has a flat rectangular surface 30 in frictional contact with thechecking member B. The frictional contact between the checking member Band the rear of channel 23, and the friction bearing member C causes themovement of checking member B to be restrained or checked. The checkingof the movement of checking member B causes the movement of the pickerstick 11 to be checked when it comes in contact with one end of the slot28.

The elongated friction bearing member C has planar end-s 31 forcontacting the stop members 29 to stop the movement of the slidablechecking member and the picker stick at the same predetermined pointafter the checking operation. This point may be changed by adjusting theposition of the friction bearing member C relative to the bracket orguide member A. Normally, when the shuttle wears a larger hole in thepicker such has to be replaced because the shuttle is no longer beingarrested in the desired preselected point. In the subject inventionrather than replacing the picker, the position of the friction hearingmember C may be adjusted to compensate for the hole worn in the picker.Moreover, since the picker stick is stopped by the stop members 29, thepicker stick does not hang into the lay end and lay end leather. Thus,the lay end leather does not have to be replaced.

An adjusting means generally designated at 32 is provided for regulatingthe frictional contact between the friction bearing member C and thechecking member B. The adjusting means includes a metal plate 33 carriedbetween the pair of vertical arms 27. Bolts 34 extend through holes 35adjacent the ends of the plate 33 and threadably engage the threads inholes 28 in the vertical arms 27. The plate 33 has an elongatedhorizontal slot 36 which freely receives a tension adjusting screw 37.One end of the tension adjusting screw 37 has a reduced portion 38 whichfits into a shock absorbing member 39 carried by the friction bearingmember B. The shock absorbing member 39 fits into a cylindrical hole 40in the friction bearing member B. The shock absorbing member 39 in thepreferred embodiment is constructed of hard rubber and has a smallcylindrical opening 41 for receiving the reduced end 38 of the tensionadjusting screw 37. The shock absorbing member may be attached to thetension adjusting screw in any suitable manner, such as by fusing orvulcanizing. A washer 42 is carried on the reduced end 38 and fits flushagainst the outer surface of the shock absorbing member. A threadedmetal plate 43 is threadably carried on the tension adjusting screw 37adjacent the rear of vertical arms 27. When the adjusting screw 37 isrotated in one direction, the plate 43 is drawn tightly against the rearof arms 27 thus increasing the frictional contact between the channel,the slidable checking member B, and the friction bearing member C. Ifthe screw 37 is rotated in the opposite direction, the frictionalcontact between the members is reduced. It is noted that the pressurecreated by the adjusting screw 37 is transferred to the friction bearingmember C through the washer 42 and the shock absorbing member 39. Theshock absorbing member aids in maintaining the tension adjusting meansin adjustment, as Well as absorbs the shock generated when the stopmember 29 contacts the friction bearing member C. A nut 44 and a washer45 are carried on the tension adjusting screw 37 to lock the screw inposition relative to the plate 33.

The means D for adjusting the position of the friction bearing member Crelative to the guide member A includes the plate 33 with the elongatedslot 36. When the tension adjusting screw is not under pressure, it canbe moved laterally in the slot 35. This lateral movement permits theposition of the elongated friction bearing member C to be shifted. Thus,the point where the planar ends of the friction bearing member Ccontacts the stop members 29 can be changed.

FIGURE 2 of the drawing illustrates in broken lines the movement of thechecking member during the checking operation of the picker stick. Theshuttle strikes the picker 18 when the picker stick 11 is in theposition shown in broken lines on the left. The picker stick is moved tothe right and comes in contact with the slidable checking member B. Theslidable checking member B moves to the right to the position shown inbroken lines, checking the motion of the picker stick. When the stop 29strikes the planar end 31 of the friction bearing member C the pickerstick is stopped abruptly. It is noted that frictional contact betweenthe slidable member and the channel 23 and friction bearing member C maybe adjusted by tensioning screw 37. On the power stroke of the pickerstick, the slidable checking member is moved back to the left.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described usingspecific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, andit is to be understood that changes and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A checking device for use on a loom having a lay, a shuttle box, ashuttle, a picker and picker stick for propelling the shuttle along thelay, the improvement comprises: a rigid guide member; an elongatedslidable checking member carried within said rigid guide member forreciprocal movement therein; said elongated checking member havinginwardly extending portions about each end for receiving the pickerstick and outwardly extending stop members carried adjacent each end; anelongated friction bearing member carried adjacent said slidablechecking member in frictional contact therewith for checking themovement of said checking member when said picker stick comes in contactwith said checking member, said elongated friction bearing member havingends for contacting said outwardly extending stop members to stop themovement of said slidable checking member abruptly after the frictionalchecking of said picker stick; said slidable checking member and saidfriction bearing member comprising frictionally engaging surfaceswherein one of said surfaces is plastic and the other is metal; meansfor adjusting the position of said friction bearing member relative tosaid guide member to regulate the distance for checking said pickerstick and said slidable checking member; and means for adjusting thefrictional contact between said friction bearing member and saidchecking member whereby the frictional contact between said frictionbearing member and said checking member checks the movement of thepicker stick and the stop members restrict the movement of the checkingmember to a preselected distance.

2. A checking device for use on a loom having a lay, a shuttle box, ashuttle, a picker and picker stick for propelling the shuttle along thelay, the improvement comprises: a rigid guide member; an elongatedslidable checking member carried within said rigid guide member forreciprocal movement therein; said elongated checking member havinginwardly extending portions about each end for receiving the pickerstick and outwardly extending stop members carried about each end; anelongated friction bearing member carried adjacent said slidablechecking member in frictional contact therewith for checking themovement of said checking member when said picker stick comes in contactwith said checking member; said elongated friction bearing member havingends for contacting said stop members to stop the movement of saidslidable checking member abruptly after the frictional checking of saidpicker stick; means for adjusting the frictional contact between saidfriction bearing member and said checking member; a shock absorbingelement disposed between said friction bearing member and said means foradjusting the frictional contact; said slidable checking member and saidfriction bearing member comprising frictionally engaging surfaceswherein one of said surfaces is plastic and the other is metal; andmeans for adjusting the position of said friction bearing memberrelative to said guide member to regulate the distance for checking saidpicker stick and said slidable checking member whereby the frictionalcontact between said friction bearing member and said checking memberchecks the movement of the picker stick and the stop members restrictthe movement of the checking member to a preselected distance.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for adjustingthe frictional contact is a threaded bolt threadably engaging said guidemember, one end of said bolt engaging said shock absorbing element, andwherein said shock absorbing element is a resilient member carried bysaid elongated friction bearing member for absorbing the shock betweensaid bolt and said friction bearing member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1918 Prosser 139165 6/1965Zobrist 139-164

1. A CHECKING DEVICE FOR USE ON A LOOM HAVING A LAY, A SHUTTLE BOX, ASHUTTLE, A PICKER AND PICKER STICK FOR PROPELLING THE SHUTTLE ALONG THELAY, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISES: A RIGID GUIDE MEMBER; AN ELONGATEDSLIDABLE CHECKING MEMBER CARRIED WITHIN SAID RIGID GUIDE MEMBER FORRECIPROCAL MOVEMENT THEREIN; SAID ELONGATED CHECKING MEMBER HAVINGINWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS ABOUT EACH END FOR RECEIVING THE PICKERSTICK AND OUTWARDLY EXTENDING STOP MEMBERS CARRIED ADJACENT EACH END; ANELONGATED FRICTION BEARING MEMBER CARRIED ADJACENT SAID SLIDABLECHECKING MEMBER IN FRICTIONAL CONTACT THEREWITH FOR CHECKING THEMOVEMENT OF SAID CHECKING MEMBER WHEN SAID PICKER STICK COMES IN CONTACTWITH SAID CHECKING MEMBER, SAID ELONGATED FRICTION BEARING MEMBER HAVINGENDS FOR CONTACTING SAID OUTWARDLY EXTENDING STOP MEMBERS TO STOP THEMOVEMENT OF SAID SLIDABLE CHECKING MEMBER ABRUPTLY AFTER THE FRICTIONALCHECKING OF SAID PICKER STICK; SAID SLIDABLE CHECKING MEMBER AND SAIDFRICTION BEARING MEMBER COMPRISING FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING SURFACESWHEREIN ONE OF SAID SURFACES IS PLASTIC AND THE OTHER IS METAL; MEANSFOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF SAID FRICTION BEARING MEMBER RELATIVE TOSAID GUIDE MEMBER TO REGULATE THE DISTANCE FOR CHECKING SAID PICKERSTICK AND SAID SLIDABLE CHECKING MEMBER; AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THEFRICTIONAL CONTACT BETWEEN SAID FRICTION BEARING MEMBER AND SAIDCHECKING MEMBER WHEREBY THE FRICTIONAL CONTACT BETWEEN SAID FRICTIONBEARING MEMBER AND SAID CHECKING MEMBER CHECKS THE MOVEMENT OF THEPICKER STICK AND THE STOP MEMBERS RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE CHECKINGMEMBER TO A PRESELECTED DISTANCE.